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I kind of figured that was the case. I was trained to look for signs of distress, and Vivian was checking all the boxes. Difficulty sleeping. Bursts of —frankly understandable— anger.
I pulled up to the nearest Burger King drive thru. “What do you want?”
“Fast food? Don’t you find this sort of thing sacrilegious?”
“Don’t be dramatic. It’s fine in moderation, and I need to get your blood-sugar levels up.”
Vivian licked her lips. “Are you sure you don’t want to go to that vegan place around the corner?”
“Do you want a burger or not?”
She paused, glancing between me and the massive menu structure past the speaker box. She leaned forward, pressing against me to shout out the window. “Can I get a number four and number six combo with a side of onion rings, chicken strips, and a large strawberry milkshake?” She turned to me. “Do you want anything?”
I shook my head. “I’m good.”
She ripped into her food the second she got it, the whole car smelling like grease and seasoning. I normally had a strict rule about eating in the car, but I was willing to make an exception for her. Vivian had an impressive appetite, and I wasn’t about to put my life on the line by telling her to wait until we got home.
Vivian ate in silence, chowing down with gusto. As I suspected, she perked right up after finishing her burger, moving on to munch on her fries. She was lost in thought, staring out the window while she chewed.
I was busy running through my regular checks as I drove. The most dangerous time for any client was during transit. I had to worry about other drivers on the road as well as the possibility of being tailed. It was a masterclass in multitasking. I was so focused on the road and getting us back to the penthouse that I didn’t even register that Vivian held a fry to my lips until I was swallowing the food.
She laughed softly. “Not bad, huh?”
“It’s alright.”
“Liar. You think it’s delicious. Here, try the milkshake.”
Vivian held up her cup, sticking the straw in front of me. It seemed silly to be fixated on something so small. It was just a damn straw. The straw she was just using. The straw that her lips were wrapped around not seconds before.
I took a sip. Strawberry coated my tongue. I grimaced. “It’s too sweet.”
Vivian shrugged. “More for me, then,” she said calmly, bringing it to her lips to drink.
I swallowed, concentrating on keeping my breathing even. Did she know what she was doing to me? The glint in her eye told me she did.
I gripped the steering wheel tighter, determined to get home sooner rather than later.
* * *
Wally was seated in the living room, playing a video game,FortnightorCall of Dutyor whatever it was. They were all the same to me. A mess of colors and too much noise and an overall waste of time.
“Whoa, where’s mine?” he asked when he saw Vivian’s Burger King bag.
She smiled. “Sorry. Didn’t know you wanted some.”
“Can I have a bite? I haven’t had lunch yet.”
“We both know I don’t share.”
I walked past them and shrugged off my suit jacket, ears tingling. Was that true? Vivian didn’t seem to have any qualms about feeding me. I felt oddly special.
I opened my laptop, checking if any of the security sensors leading to the penthouse were tripped. Nothing on the CCTV cameras, no alarms triggered. We were in the clear for now.
“How did things go at the station?” Wally asked Vivian.
She huffed. “Fine, I guess. They’re going to look into it or whatever.” She sighed heavily. “The detective says I need proof to connect the cartel to Molly’s disappearance, but I don’t have anything. I’m just so exhausted.”
“It’s going to be okay.” Wally hugged her, patting her on the back. A pang of jealousy festered in my chest. Seeing them so comfortable around one another… For a moment, I wished that I could take my son’s place and be the one to hold her.
